Good News Translation GNT
World English Bible WEB
1 There is really no need for me to write you about the help being sent to God's people in Judea.
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It is indeed unnecessary for me to write to you concerning the service to the saints,
2 I know that you are willing to help, and I have boasted of you to the people in Macedonia. "The believers in Achaia," I said, "have been ready to help since last year." Your eagerness has stirred up most of them.
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for I know your readiness, of which I boast on your behalf to them of Macedonia, that Achaia has been prepared for a year past. Your zeal has stirred up very many of them.
3 Now I am sending these believers, so that our boasting about you in this matter may not turn out to be empty words. But, just as I said, you will be ready with your help.
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But I have sent the brothers, that our glorying on your behalf may not be made void in this respect, that, even as I said, you may be prepared,
4 However, if the people from Macedonia should come with me and find out that you are not ready, how ashamed we would be - not to speak of your shame - for feeling so sure of you!
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so that I won't by any means, if there come with me any of Macedonia and find you unprepared, we (to say nothing of you) should be put to shame in this confident boasting.
5 So I thought it was necessary to urge these believers to go to you ahead of me and get ready in advance the gift you promised to make. Then it will be ready when I arrive, and it will show that you give because you want to, not because you have to.
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I thought it necessary therefore to entreat the brothers that they would go before to you, and arrange ahead of time the generous gift that you promised before, that the same might be ready as a matter of generosity, and not of greediness.
6 Remember that the person who plants few seeds will have a small crop; the one who plants many seeds will have a large crop.
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Remember this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. He who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
7 You should each give, then, as you have decided, not with regret or out of a sense of duty; for God loves the one who gives gladly.
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Let each man give according as he has determined in his heart; not grudgingly, or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver.
8 And God is able to give you more than you need, so that you will always have all you need for yourselves and more than enough for every good cause.
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And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that you, always having all sufficiency in everything, may abound to every good work.
9 As the scripture says, "He gives generously to the needy; his kindness lasts forever."
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As it is written, "He has scattered abroad, he has given to the poor. His righteousness remains forever."
10 And God, who supplies seed for the sower and bread to eat, will also supply you with all the seed you need and will make it grow and produce a rich harvest from your generosity.
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Now may he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food, supply and multiply your seed for sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;
11 He will always make you rich enough to be generous at all times, so that many will thank God for your gifts which they receive from us.
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you being enriched in everything to all liberality, which works through us thanksgiving to God.
12 For this service you perform not only meets the needs of God's people, but also produces an outpouring of gratitude to God.
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For this service of giving that you perform not only makes up for lack among the saints, but abounds also through many givings of thanks to God;
13 And because of the proof which this service of yours brings, many will give glory to God for your loyalty to the gospel of Christ, which you profess, and for your generosity in sharing with them and everyone else.
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seeing that through the proof given by this service, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all;
14 And so with deep affection they will pray for you because of the extraordinary grace God has shown you.
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while they themselves also, with supplication on your behalf, yearn for you by reason of the exceeding grace of God in you.
15 Let us thank God for his priceless gift!
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Now thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift!
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.
The World English Bible is in the public domain.